San Diego State and the University of California, Riverside, played to a 2-2 double-overtime draw In what was a physical matchup. The Aztecs’ record now slips to 1-1-1, while the Highlanders left the SDSU Sports Deck with their first blemish on their record at 2-0-1.
UCR opened the game firing on all cylinders and caught SDSU on their heels as they dominated possession and had multiple looks at the net. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, the Highlanders sophomore forward Blanca Bario found her streaking counterpart in junior forward Tyler Cunningham just outside the box who rocketed a strike from 15 yards out to net the first goal of the game.
It did not take long for the red and black to realize the situation, settle down and play their patented suffocating defense along with surgical passing within the midfield. With the speed on the wings, SDSU was able to pepper UCR’s junior goalkeeper Elizabeth Silas, continually forcing her to make save after save.
The Aztecs finally broke through in the 35th minute from a corner kick from the right flag, with a familiar connection. Senior Katie Perry delivered a beautiful ball that fellow senior Hannah Keane was able to head to the near post, where senior Kelsey Booth was able to twinkle the twine with her shot.
The game remained squared up going into the half.
When both teams came back from the break, head coach Mike Friesen made a decision to swap sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Trujillo for junior Melanie Vaughn. The Aztecs were able to hold the momentum going into the second half, keeping up the pressure on the Highlanders’ backline.
In the 63rd minute freshman Angela Mitchell, who is proving to have a knack to be in the right place at the right time, was taken down in the box and drew a penalty kick for the second time in three games. Not to be outdone by her fellow seniors, Mariah Helmer notched a point herself as she easily netted her first goal of the season to put the Aztecs in the lead.
The Highlanders were not finished and finally broke through the staunch SDSU defense in the 71st minute where freshman Amanda Apelian found senior Celina Valencia who sent an arching shot into the top left corner. The game remained knotted at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, sending the game into a golden goal overtime match.
The Aztecs clearly were in control for both 10-minute overtime sessions, outshooting the Highlanders 7-0 in the extra time. However, SDSU was not able to place one past Silas for the victory.
For the third straight game, the Aztecs were able to outshoot its opponents by double digits, 25-12, and earn more corners, 8-2.
